Ethan Jannenga is a rising star at Granger Construction and proud member of Carpenters Local 1004. From IT to carpentry, his journey is a story of resilience, passion and purpose.
Ethan joined Granger in April 2023 as a standout carpenter apprentice and quickly caught the eye of those he worked with. He exemplifies dedication, leadership and craftsmanship in every aspect of his work, and this led to his recent recognition as Carpenter Apprentice of the Year by AGC of Michigan.
His journey into carpentry began after being laid off from an IT position during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seeking a more hands-on and fulfilling career, Ethan discovered the Carpenters and Millwrights Apprentice Training Center in Wayland, MI and began his carpenter apprenticeship program in January 2021. In addition to his traditional training, he was part of the inaugural “Jumpstart” class, an employability skills course offered on Saturday mornings. Now that he’s completed his apprenticeship, Ethan volunteers his time to support future cohorts taking that course.
When asked how he got started at Granger, Ethan said he had heard a lot of good things about Granger from his instructors, so when he learned that Granger had a 5 a.m. pour at the Gun Lake Casino Hotel & Resort project, he showed up on site at 4:45 a.m. with his tools in hand. “I found Bob Brownell, told him I was looking for a job and he put me to work right away,” said Ethan, adding he first started out building forms on the ground and eventually learned how to climb and form large walls.
It didn’t take long for Ethan’s leadership efforts displayed in the classroom to transition to the jobsite. As his confidence grew, he began leading small crews in building and forming walls at the Acrisure Amphitheater project in Grand Rapids, and has since stepped into the role of layout carpenter where he utilizes a Trimble robotic layout system and other tools of the trade to prepare for concrete pours.
Granger Superintendent Rich Grove calls him “a role model for other apprentices” based on his strong work ethic, positive attitude and reliability.
Ethan said he enjoys the variety of work and learning opportunities that Granger offers, and he values the sense of accomplishment that comes from working in the construction industry.
“What I find most rewarding about this job is seeing the finished product and knowing that I helped put that building there,” he said. “Nobody can take that away from me.”
Ethan credits mentors like Chad Parsons for helping him grow in layout work and Bob Brownell for giving him his first shot at Granger. His story is a reminder of what’s possible when talent meets opportunity, and he encourages others starting out in the skilled trades to power through the difficult times they may encounter.
“There will be times that are hard or frustrating, but it’s worth it. You can do it—just keep going.”
